Lovers Lane, Los Angeles 1871

The History and Geneaology Department on the very bottom level of the Central Library — also known as one of my favorite tucked-away spots in the city — has posted this 1871 map on Facebook. "Yes, Los Angeles has always been a town for lovers," the caption reads. The map appears to show a street being laid out angling off northbound Alameda toward the river, past property owned by someone named Sepulveda (a big name in L.A. in those days) and the Sisters of Charity. With enough time somebody could probably figure out where this was, in 2011 geography — and whether the street remains under some other name today. This was before the train yards, the bridges or the freeways — and maybe even before one of the changes of course by the Los Angeles River. Click the map to see it bigger.

By the way: Said history department is closed this week from Tuesday through Friday for replacement of telecommunications cabling. Then, on Saturday at 2 p.m., I'm speaking at the library's Taper Auditorium on the architecture and architects of Los Angeles from 1781 to 1900. I'm there at the invitation of the Los Angeles City Historical Society. It's free and there will be plenty of photographs.